Alcoholism Rehabilitation Centers Yankton SD

An alcoholic is someone who despite negative consequences from drinking continues to drink, and once he starts drinking, has little or no control over the amount consumed. This is done not because of a choice to continue, but a physical allergy coupled with a mental obsession to drink, thus the disease of mind and body.

Alcoholism: A Disease of Mind and Body

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A Disease of Mind and Body

Phill Roby

Friday, September 14, 2007 Contrary to popular belief, a real alcoholic has lost the power of choice in drinking. Alcoholism is not a weakness, nor does it affect &quotbad&quot people. It is an illness that does not discriminate, a disease of mind and body, and is so recognized by the American Medical Association.

An alcoholic is someone who despite negative consequences from drinking continues to drink, and once he starts drinking, has little or no control over the amount consumed. This is done not because of a choice to continue, but a physical allergy coupled with a mental obsession to drink, thus the disease of mind and body.

Another common misconception is that people who drink heavily and often are automatically classified as alcoholics. A person who drinks a lot may be abusing alcohol, but if given a good reason medically or convinced to stop by a family member they have little or no trouble stopping. The alcoholic, however, is unable to stop based on these reasons alone.

A good example is as follows: A man drank heavily for 20 years. He had no negative consequences such as DWI's or medical problems during this time, and thoroughly enjoyed drinking everyday. One day he went to his doctor who told him his liver showed signs of damage from drinking and advised that he had to quit altogether. He never touched another drop of alcohol, and continued on with his life easily without it, thus non-alcoholic.

A true alcoholic would have not been able to stop drinking based on this knowledge alone. Without some form of treatment and a continued program such as Alcoholics Anonymous or another type of Spiritual Awakening, an alcoholic would not be able to completely abstain from drinking due to the diseased state of his body and mind.

Another important aspect of alcoholism is the inability to control the amount of alcohol consumed once they start. This is due to a number of physiological factors involved in the body...

Using a drug to treat addiction may seem ironic, but doctors say it can work. How? The drug blocks the brain receptor that may associate reward benefits with drinking. There are other drugs to help with alcohol addiction, but they have to be taken daily, and often with pretty harsh side effects like sweating, vomiting, and rapid heart beat.